TENNIS AND SOMATIC STRESS
THE STRESS ALL OF US GO THROUGH IN SPORTS INCLUDING TENNIS IS CALLED SOMATIC STRESS. THIS IS THE STRESS OF UNCERTAINTY OF OUTCOME. THE TOP ATHLETES IN THE WORLD EXPLAIN IT LIKE THIS (I JUST CAN NOT RELAX, MY MUSCLES ARE TENSE). THIS TYPE OF STRESS IS BODY STRESS AND INHIBITS FREE MOVEMENT. THIS TYPE OF STRESS IS DUE TO EXPECTATIONS OF COACHES, ATHLETES THEMSELVES, PARENTS, HUMILIATIONS, ECT. THE CHALLENGE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT IF YOU HAVE BUTTERFLIES BEFORE COMPETITION. THIS IS NORMAL IN SPORTS AND CAN BE MANAGED. THE ATHLETE IS NOT THREATENED BY HIS OR HER SELF-WORTH
BECAUSE OF COMPETITION. THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT INFLUENCE TENSION ARE THE BAD ONES THAT PREVENT US FROM PERFORMING AT OUR PEAK. THE GREAT ATHLETES